It's tragic and true. All over Texas, original 19th century documents and records that shed light on Texas history are facing an uncertain future because of poor preservation practices and limited resources. That's the finding of a task force charged with reviewing the situation by the Supreme Court of Texas

The records -- many that are decaying or being destroyed due to a mix of events and conditions -- contain information about famous Texans and ordinary residents during the historic periods. For some people, such as African Americans, the records may contain the only information that exists about their ancestors.

Most Texans with long memories know about the two Texas beauties who won the Miss America Pageant in the 1970s, but you need an exceptionally long memory -- or be very old -- or both, to know anything about the Tyler girl who was Miss America in 1942.

The official tall ship of Texas is in trouble. The iron and steel bottom of the three-masted 1877 barque Elissa is nearly rusted through in places, and that has forced the U.S. Coast Guard to declare the historic vessel is not seaworthy.

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